Mortgage Proposals and Rate Swings: A Housing Market in Search of Real Solutions
As mortgage rates fluctuate and ambitious policy ideas emerge, economists warn that financing tweaks cannot solve the core issue: a chronic shortage of homes.
As mortgage rates fluctuate and ambitious policy ideas emerge, economists warn that financing tweaks cannot solve the core issue: a chronic shortage of homes.
Amid a mixed market landscape, corporate insiders are placing significant bets on select small-cap stocks. We analyze three companies where recent insider buying and strategic moves signal potential value, despite broader economic headwinds.
The Walt Disney Company reported a 5% rise in fiscal first-quarter revenue to $26 billion, fueled by its theme parks and streaming services. However, operating profit fell 9% as challenges in its traditional TV business and rising costs offset gains.
Oracle announces plans to raise up to $50 billion in 2026 through debt and equity to massively expand its cloud data centers, aiming to meet surging demand from AI leaders like Nvidia, OpenAI, and xAI.
Hospitality tech provider Agilysys saw its stock price drop sharply post-earnings, even as Q4 revenue topped estimates. Higher development costs squeezed profits, though CEO highlighted strong subscription growth in key segments. Analysts are now scrutinizing the pace of major rollouts and efficiency gains.
Shares of Deckers Outdoor Corp. surged nearly 20% following a robust quarterly report and an optimistic fiscal 2026 outlook, driven by exceptional performance from its UGG and HOKA footwear brands.
Chemical and ammunition manufacturer Olin Corporation reported fourth-quarter results that missed internal forecasts, pressured by plant disruptions, supply issues, and a sharp year-end drop in chlorine demand. Executives emphasized cash preservation and cost control while navigating what they term an extended market downturn.
Franklin Resources (BEN) reported robust Q1 2026 results, highlighted by record long-term inflows of $118.6B and AUM reaching $1.68T. CEO Jenny Johnson emphasized strong demand for integrated public-private market solutions and personalized investment strategies amid ongoing market volatility.
Future Proof Brands, maker of the popular ready-to-drink brand BeatBox, is laying off over 150 employees at its headquarters. The move comes weeks after announcing a $490 million majority stake acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, signaling corporate restructuring ahead of the deal's expected close in early 2026.
The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady signals a strategic pause, not an end to its easing cycle. We break down the immediate and future impacts on everything from credit cards to the housing market.
Dolby Laboratories surpassed Wall Street's Q4 revenue and profit forecasts, fueled by strong growth in automotive partnerships and streaming adoption. However, a year-over-year sales decline and contracting operating margins highlight the challenges of shifting product mix and restructuring costs.
Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP) reported robust fourth-quarter results for 2025, surpassing revenue expectations with a 13.1% year-over-year sales increase to $5.05 billion. Adjusted earnings per share of $10.83 also came in ahead of analyst forecasts.
Polish cybersecurity authorities have attributed a wave of disruptive cyberattacks in late December to a hacking group linked to Russia's FSB, marking a potential escalation in tactics against energy and heating infrastructure during a severe winter storm.
In a significant policy shift, Chinese authorities have reportedly cleared the AI startup DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's advanced H200 processors, potentially easing a major hardware bottleneck for its competitive large language model.
The U.S. dollar rallied sharply while gold and silver prices plunged following President Trump's nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair. The move, coupled with stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, signals a potential hawkish shift in monetary policy.
Franklin Templeton reported robust first-quarter results, with record long-term inflows of $118.6 billion, driven by strong demand across public and private markets. CEO Jenny Johnson highlighted the firm's strategic positioning in AI, blockchain tokenization, and integrated portfolio solutions as investors seek resilience amid ongoing market volatility.
The United States, in coordination with European allies, has imposed new sanctions on Iran's Interior Minister and other officials, accusing them of orchestrating a violent suppression of nationwide protests. The measures target assets and travel, reflecting a widening international response to Tehran's handling of domestic unrest.
American Express reported a 10.6% year-over-year revenue increase to $17.57 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025, yet missed Wall Street's sales expectations. Earnings per share of $3.53 met analyst consensus estimates.
Indian e-commerce challenger Meesho reported a significant widening of its quarterly net loss to ₹4.91 billion, as a 44% surge in expenses outpaced strong revenue growth, marking a costly start to its life as a public company.
Real Matters Inc. (TSE: REAL) kicked off its 2026 fiscal year with robust double-digit revenue growth and a return to profitability, defying typical seasonal headwinds. The company's performance was fueled by market share gains, new client launches, and improved operational efficiency across its U.S. and Canadian segments.